CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University women's soccer team opened Ohio Valley Conference play with a 1-0 win over Jacksonville State, Friday, at Morgan Bros. Soccer Field. The Lady Govs improve to 3-9 overall with a 1-0 OVC record, while the Gamecocks fall to 3-5-2 overall with a 0-1 league clip.

Freshman Rian Barger came up big again for the Lady Govs, scoring her season's fourth goal ? the game-winner ? in the 66th minute. Barger and senior Ashley Beck kept up a steady Austin Peay attack for most of the game. Beck finished with a team-high five shots.

Sophomore Hannah Jones did her job on defense as JSU drove deep into Austin Peay territory, clearing a great ball down the right side to sophomore Kellie Cannon. Cannon dribbled past the Gamecocks defense and fired a hard shot from inside the box that was stopped by JSU keeper Kate Kelly. However, it deflected into a crowd of players and Barger punched it into the back of the net.

The game was an even battle throughout with Austin Peay outshooting Jacksonville State, 16-13. Carley Newman earned her second career shutout in net, making six saves for the Lady Govs. Kelly also fared well in net for the Gamecocks, making six saves but allowing the game-winner.

The first half was played mostly in the middle third of the field as both teams struggled to gain position and create an offensive opportunity. In fact, the shot count was even, 5-5, at the break and JSU had the game's only corner. The second half mirrored the first, but it all came down to the one attack by the Lady Govs.

In Austin Peay program history, the Lady Govs now have opened OVC play with a win three times. The first was in 2005 with 3-1 win against Murray State, while the second came against Jacksonville State in 2006. Austin Peay gets the weekend off before returning to the pitch with a 6 p.m., Friday, OVC match at Morehead State.